Kitchen Appliance Configured to Allow Variation of Aesthetic Appearance Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a kitchen appliance having a front portion ( 26 ), and a front panel assembly ( 22 ) removably attached to the front portion ( 26 ). In one embodiment, the front panel assembly ( 22 ) comprises a transparent panel ( 30 ) and a colored member ( 32 ) positioned between the transparent panel ( 30 ) and the front portion ( 26 ) of the kitchen appliance wherein the colored member ( 32 ) is visible through the transparent panel ( 30 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of copending andcommonly owned U.S. provisional application No. 60/664,807, filed Mar.24, 2005. The entire disclosure of provisional application No.60/664,807 is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a kitchen appliance havingthe capability for changing the aesthetic appearance thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Kitchen appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, microwave ovens,etc. typically come in a variety of colors. Consumers typically buy anappliance that has a color that matches or corresponds to the colorscheme of the consumer's kitchen. However, if the consumer changes thecolor scheme of his or her kitchen, the color of the kitchen appliancemay no longer match or correspond to the new color scheme of thekitchen. Similarly, if the consumer changes the design and/or decor ofhis or her kitchen, the aesthetic appearance of the kitchen appliancemay no longer be compatible with the design and/or decor of the kitchen.

What is needed is a simple and inexpensive way to change the colorscheme and/or the aesthetic appearance of a kitchen appliance to suitthe consumer's needs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to, in one aspect, a kitchen appliancethat is configured to allow a user to vary the color scheme or theaesthetic appearance of that kitchen appliance so that the color schemeor aesthetic appearance matches the color or design scheme of the user'skitchen or other surroundings. Additional advantages of the inventionare that it allows the user to vary the color scheme or the generalaesthetic appearance of the kitchen appliance so that it conforms tocurrent design trends and/or the user's personal design choices.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a kitchenappliance comprising a front portion, and a front panel assemblyremovably attached to the front portion of the appliance. The frontpanel assembly comprises a substantially transparent panel removablyattached to the front portion and a colored member positioned betweenthe front portion and the substantially transparent panel such that thecolored member is visible through the substantially transparent panel.The appliance includes means for removably attaching the front panelassembly to the front portion of the appliance.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to an appliancehaving a front portion, and a front panel assembly removably attached tothe front portion of the appliance. The front panel assembly comprises asubstantially transparent panel removably attached to the front portionand a pre-selected decorative item positioned between the front portionand the substantially transparent panel such that the pre-selecteddecorative item is visible through the substantially transparent panel.The pre-selected decorative item can be a photograph, drawing, postcard, a piece of fabric, a piece or leather, a piece of suede,wallpaper, wrapping paper, holiday season decor or any other suitabledecorative item that is sized to fit between the substantiallytransparent panel and the front portion of the appliance.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the kitchen appliancecomprises a front portion, and a front panel assembly removably attachedto the front portion of the appliance. The front panel assemblycomprises a colored, front panel that is removably attached to the frontportion. The colored, front panel has a predetermined color. Theconsumer may change the color scheme of the kitchen appliance byremoving the colored, front panel and replacing it with aninterchangeable colored, front panel having a different color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention are believed to be novel. The figures arefor illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The inventionitself may best be understood by reference to the detailed descriptionwhich follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a partial, exploded view of a coffee maker and front panelassembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a transparent panel of the frontpanel assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the coffee maker of FIG. 1 withoutthe front panel assembly attached thereto;

FIG. 4A is a rear elevational view of the front panel assembly of FIG.1;

FIGS. 4B and 4C are partial, perspective views showing how the frontpanel assembly is removably attached to the front portion of the coffeemaker;

FIG. 4D is a view of the underside of an overhang portion of the coffeemaker, the view also partially showing the underside of the frontportion of the coffee maker of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4E and 4F are exploded views, in perspective, illustrating how thefront panel assembly is removably attached to the coffee maker;

FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view showing the front panel assemblyremovably attached to the coffee maker;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the entire coffee maker of FIG. 5wherein the front panel assembly is removably attached thereto;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a toaster in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view, in perspective, showing how the front panelassembly is removably attached to the toaster of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a toaster oven in accordance witha further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is an exploded view, in perspective, illustrating how the frontpanel assembly is removably attached to a toaster oven in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the toaster oven of FIG. 7Awherein the front panel assembly is removably attached thereto;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a coffee grinder and front panelassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are exploded views, in perspective, illustrating how thefront panel assembly is removably attached to the coffee grinder;

FIG. 8C is a perspective view showing the front panel assembly removablyattached to the coffee grinder;

FIG. 9A is a partial, perspective view of a front corner of a coffeemaker with a front panel assembly removably attached thereto inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention, the view being seenfrom outside the coffee maker;

FIG. 9B is a partial, perspective view of the opposite front corner ofthe coffee maker of FIG. 9A, the view being seen from inside the coffeemaker;

FIG. 9C is a partial, plan view of the underside of a front portion of acoffee maker of FIGS. 9A and 9B;

FIG. 10 is partial, perspective view of a coffee maker and front panelassembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is an exploded view, in perspective, of a front panel assemblyin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a top view of a front panel shown in FIG. 11A; and

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a template used to trim or crop aphotograph that is used with the front panel assembly of FIG. 11A.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown coffee maker 20 and front panelassembly, indicated by reference numeral 22, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. The portion of coffee maker 20 that isshown in FIG. 1 is the top portion of the housing of coffee maker 20 andis indicated by reference number 24. Top portion 24 of coffee maker 20has interior frame 25 which has exterior overhang 25A. Overhang 25A hasunderside 25B. Coffee maker 20 also includes front portion 26 which hasa bottom portion 26A (see FIG. 4D). Front panel assembly 22 comprisessubstantially transparent panel 30 and colored member 32. Colored member32 may be configured as a color panel or a piece of colored fabric.Colored member 32 is discussed in detail in the ensuing description. Inaccordance with the invention, front panel assembly 22 is removablyattached to front portion 26 so as to provide the coffee maker 20 with aparticular color scheme and appearance. A coffee carafe, known in theart, is positioned below front portion 26 (see FIG. 3). Coffee maker 20also includes sidewalls 140 and 142.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown transparent panel 30. Panel 30 maybe fabricated from plastic or any other suitable material provided thatsuch material is substantially transparent. Panel 30 is curved so thatit conforms to the shape of front portion 26 of coffee maker 20. Panel30 has exterior side 40 (see FIG. 1), interior side 42, flanged end 44and flanged end 46. Panel 30 includes bottom end portion 48 which isalso flanged so as to support colored member 32. Thus, the flangedconfiguration of bottom end portion 48 functions as a seat for coloredmember 32. Panel 30 has top end portion 49 which defines lip 49A. Panel30 further includes tabs 50 that extend from the bottom end portion 48.The purpose of tabs 50 is discussed in the ensuing description.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4A, colored member 32 comprises a relativelyflat, thin, flexible sheet. Colored member 32 may be fabricated from avariety of materials, e.g. plastic, PVC, paper, cardboard, etc. Thethinness and flexibility of colored member 32 allows it to conform tothe shape of panel 30. As shown in FIG. 1, colored member 32 has flangedends, one of which being shown as end 58. Colored member 32 ispositioned on interior side 42 of panel 30 as shown in FIG. 4A.

In an alternate embodiment, colored member 32 may be fabricated from afabric. Such fabrics include nylon, polyester, Dacron, cotton, andcombinations thereof. In another embodiment, colored member 32 isfabricated from suede. In a further embodiment, colored member 32 isfabricated from PU micro-fiber. An important benefit of using a fabricto fabricate colored member 32 is that the fabric may offer a texturedlook or appearance. If colored member 32 is a fabric, it will naturallyconform to the shape of front portion 26 of coffee maker 20 and panel30. In addition to the materials listed above, colored member 32 can befabricated from leather or synthetic leather. Thus, colored member 32can be any decorative member that exhibits the desired color, texture,design or other aesthetic qualities.

In an alternate embodiment, colored member 32 does not have flangedends.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F, front portion 26 ofcoffee maker 20 is configured to have slots 60 and 62 and channels 70and 72. Each slot 60 and 62 is configured to receive a corresponding tab50 of panel 30. Channel 70 is sized to receive flanged end 44 of panel30 (see FIG. 2). Similarly, channel 72 is sized to receive flanged end46 of panel 30 (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 4D, there is shown a viewof the underside 26A of front portion 26, and underside 25B of overhang25A. As shown in FIG. 4D, underside 25B has channel 90 formed thereinthat is sized to receive lip 49A of top end 49 of panel 30. As shown inFIGS. 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F, in order to attach front panel assembly 22to front portion 26, the user positions front panel assembly 22 so thatlip 49A of transparent panel 30 is positioned under overhang 25A andadjacent to underside 25B. The user then moves front panel assembly 22upward so that lip 49A is inserted into the channel 90 in underside 25B.Next, the user pushes front panel assembly 22 forward, as indicated byarrow 80 (see FIG. 4B) and arrow 81 (see FIG. 4F), so that tabs 50 areinserted into slots 60 and 62. Tabs 50 are slightly angulated withrespect to interior side 42 of panel 30 so that when tabs 50 areinserted into slots 60 and 62, a frictional relationship is createdbetween tabs 50 and the perimetrical edges of slots 60 and 62. Thisconfiguration prevents transparent panel 30 from becoming loose andfalling off of front portion 26 of coffee maker 20. FIGS. 5 and 5A showfront panel assembly 22 completely attached to front portion 26 ofcoffee maker 20. For purposes of understanding the invention, in FIG. 5,a portion of transparent panel 30 is cut away to show colored member 32.

Colored member 32 is visible through transparent panel 30. Coloredmember 32 is positioned between interior side 42 of transparent panel 30and front portion 26 of coffee maker 20 and remains positioned that waywhen front panel assembly 22 is completely attached to front portion 26of coffee maker 20. Colored member 32 is also supported by bottomflanged end portion 48 of panel 30 so that colored member 32 does notslip downward (see FIG. 4A).

In order to remove front panel assembly 22 from front portion 26 ofcoffee maker 20, a user may use his or her finger tips to grasp thebottom portion of panel 30, adjacent bottom end 48, and pull panel 30outward in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 81 in FIG.4F. The user can then remove colored member 32 and insert anothercolored member having a different color. For example, if the currentcolored member 32 is colored yellow, the user can replace it withanother colored member 32 that is colored green.

In an alternate embodiment, interior frame 25 is configured so that itcan be raised, with respect to front portion 26 and sidewalls 140 and142, thereby freeing lip 49A of panel 30 from channel 90. In such aconfiguration, the user can then grasp the upper portion of panel 30,adjacent top end 49, and then pull panel 30 outward so that panel 30 canswing outward. The user can then maneuver panel 30 so that tabs 50 areremoved from slots 60 and 62.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality of interchangeable,colored members 32 are provided, each with a different color. Theplurality of colored members 32 may include colored members fabricatedwith fabrics. Preferably, the interchangeable colored members areprovided with the kitchen appliance at the time of purchase.

In one embodiment, panel 30 is sized and configured to allow a user toconveniently store several unused colored members 32 between panel 30and front portion 26 of coffee maker 20. In this way, the outer mostcolored member has the desired or selected color and is visible throughtransparent panel 30 and the remaining colored members are storedbetween the outer most colored member and front portion 26.

In a further embodiment, colored member 32 is replaced by a photograph.The photograph is visible through transparent panel 30. Alternately,transparent panel 30 can be configured to have the design of a pictureframe. This embodiment is further described in the ensuing description.Thus, it is to be understood that colored member 32 can be configured asany one of a variety of decorative items, e.g. drawing, picture, postcard, wallpaper, cloth, fabric, holiday season decor, or otherpersonalized item.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, there is shown front panel assembly 100 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment provides a different way to removably attach the front panelassembly to a front portion of a coffee maker. FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C showportions of coffee maker 20′ which has overhang 25A′. Overhang 25A′ ispart of a control panel (not shown) and has underside 25B′ (see FIG.9C). Coffee maker 20′ further includes front portion 26′ and sidewalls140′ and 142′. Front portion 26′ has underside 26A′. FIG. 9C showsunderside 25B′ and underside 26A′. Underside 25B′ has channel 98 formedtherein which performs the same function as channel 90 shown in FIG. 4D.Front portion 26′ and sidewalls 140′ and 142′ are generally similar tofront portion 26 and sidewalls 140 and 142, respectively, of coffeemaker 20 described in the foregoing description, except for someadditional structural, features which are described in the ensuingdescription.

FIG. 9A is a view of the exterior side of front panel assembly 100.Specifically, FIG. 9A is a view of a corner portion of coffee maker 20′and front panel assembly 100. The view of FIG. 9A is a view seen fromthe outside of coffee maker 20′. FIG. 9B is view of the interior side offront panel assembly 100 and shows the opposite corner of front panelassembly 100. The view of FIG. 9B is a view seen from inside coffeemaker 20′. Front panel assembly 100 comprises substantially transparentfront panel 102. Panel 102 has exterior side 104, a pair of flanged ends106 and 107, a top end (not shown), and bottom, flanged end 108. The topend of panel 102 is substantially the same as top end 49 of panel 30(see FIG. 1) and also has a lip which is not shown but is similar to lip49A (see FIG. 1). Front panel assembly 100 includes colored member 110.A portion of panel 102 is cut away in order to show colored member 110,and portions of panel 102 and colored member 110 are cut away in orderto show front portion 26′ and bottom, flanged end 108. Bottom, flangedend 108 includes resilient members 120 and 122. Only a portion of eachmember 120 and 122 is contiguous with bottom end 108 so as to provideeach member 120 and 122 with a degree of resiliency. Member 120 has aprotrusion 124. Similarly, member 122 has a protrusion 126. Referring toFIG. 9C, underside 26A′ has recesses or cavities 127 and 128 that aresized to receive protrusions 124 and 126, respectively. Flanged ends 106and 107 have notches 130 and 132, respectively. Sidewall 140′ definesstepped portion 150 which is sized to fit into notch 130. Similarly,sidewall 142′ has a stepped portion 152 that is sized to fit into notch132. In order to attach front panel assembly 100 to the front portion26′, the user positions front panel assembly 100 in the same manner asdone for front panel assembly 22 as described in the foregoingdescription and shown in FIGS. 4B, 4C, 4E and 4F. Thus, the userpositions panel 102 so that the lip on its top edge (not shown) ispositioned under the exterior overhang 25A′ and adjacent to underside25B′. (see FIG. 9C). Next, the user moves front panel assembly 100upward so that the lip (not shown) on the upper end of panel 102 isinserted into channel 98. The user then pushes panel assembly 100forward so that protrusions 124 and 126 are inserted into correspondingrecesses or cavities 127 and 128, respectively, and the stepped portions150 and 152 are inserted into notches 130 and 132, respectively, ofpanel 102.

In order to remove front panel assembly 100 from the front portion 26′,the user may use his or her fingers to pry members 120 and 122 downwardso as to remove protrusions 124 and 126, respectively, from the recesses127 and 128, respectively. The user then pulls front panel assembly 100outward and then moves panel assembly 100 downward as so to remove thelip (not shown) from channel 98.

In an alternate embodiment, notches 130, 132 and stepped portions 150and 152 are not used. Instead, coffee maker 20′ is configured to have avertical channel (not shown) between front portion 26′ and sidewall140′, and another vertical channel (not shown) between front portion 26′and sidewall 142′. As front panel assembly 100 is being attached tofront portion 26′, flanged end 106 is inserted into the correspondingvertical channel between front portion 26′ and sidewall 140′, andflanged end 107 is inserted into the corresponding vertical channelbetween front portion 26′ and sidewall 142′.

Although the foregoing description is in terms of a coffee maker, it isto be understood that the invention may be applied to other appliancesas well. Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a toaster in accordancewith the invention. Toaster 200 has front panel assembly 220 whichcomprises colored member 222 and clear panel 224. For purposes ofunderstanding this embodiment of the invention, a portion of clear panel224 is cut away to show colored member 222. Toaster 200 is configured tohave corresponding slots and channels, similar to slots 60, 62 andvertical channels 70, 72, respectively, of coffee maker 20, to allowfront panel assembly 220 to be removably attached to toaster 200.

FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment. In this particular view, atoaster is indicated by reference number 250 and the front panelassembly is indicated by reference number 252. Toaster 250 has a frontportion 254. Front portion 254 includes slots 256 that are on the upper,peripheral portion of front portion 254. Front panel assembly 252comprises transparent panel 258 and a colored member (not shown), butsimilar to colored member 32 described in the foregoing description.Transparent panel 258 has an upper end 259 and protruding tabs 260 thatextend from upper end 259. Transparent panel 258 has bottom end 261 andflanged sides 262 and 264. Toaster 250 includes vertical frame members266 and 268 that are on the periphery of front portion 254. Transparentpanel 258 is sized so as to frictional fit between vertical framemembers 266 and 268 such that flanged side 262 abuts the inner portionof frame member 266 and flanged side 264 abuts the inner portion offrame member 268. In order to attach panel assembly 252 to toaster 250,the user maneuvers panel 252 so that protruding tabs 260 are insertedinto slots 256. The user then pivots panel assembly 252 toward frontportion 254 of toaster 250. As panel assembly 252 approaches frontportion 254, flanged sides 262 and 264 frictionally slide against theinner portions of vertical frame members 266 and 268, respectively. Inorder to remove panel assembly 252 from toaster 250, the user can usehis or her finger tip or finger nail to pry bottom end 261 outward. Oncethis is done, the user can then maneuver panel assembly 252 so thatprotruding tabs 260 are withdrawn from slots 256.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a toaster oven in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention. Toaster oven 300 has front panelassembly 320 which comprises colored member 322 and clear panel 324. Forpurposes of understanding this embodiment of the invention, a portion ofclear panel 324 is cut away to show colored member 322. Toaster oven 300is configured to have corresponding slots and channels, similar to slots60, 62 and channels 70, 72, respectively, of coffee maker 20, to allowfront panel assembly 320 to be removably attached to toaster oven 300.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, there is shown a specific embodiment of atoaster oven and panel assembly in accordance with the presentinvention. Toaster oven 350 has a recessed or sunken front portion 352which surrounds a control panel 354. Toaster oven 350 has door 356 whichis not pertinent to the invention and therefore, is not discussed indetail. Front panel assembly 360 comprises transparent panel 362 andcolored member 364 that is located behind transparent member 362. Bothtransparent panel 362 and colored member 364 are configured to have anopening to receive control panel 354. Transparent panel 362 has a topend 368 and a bottom end 369. Transparent panel 362 further includesresilient, rearwardly extending members 372. As shown in FIG. 7A, frontportion 352 is surrounded by wall 374. Wall 374 has upper portion 375which has a pair of cavities or indentations (not shown). Each of theseaforesaid cavities or indentations is sized to receive a correspondingprotruding tab 370. Front portion 352 has a pair of slots (not shown).Each of these slots is located on a respective side of control panel354. Each of these aforesaid slots is sized for receiving acorresponding one of rearwardly extending members 372, and is located ata predetermined location so as to create a frictional relationshipbetween the perimetrical edge of each slot and the correspondingrearwardly, extending member 372. In order to attach front panelassembly 360 to toaster oven 350, the user first maneuvers front panelassembly 360 so that protruding tabs 370 are inserted into thecorresponding cavities (not shown) in upper portion 375 of wall 374.Next, the user then pivots front panel assembly 360 toward-toaster oven350, as indicated by arrow 380, so that rearwardly extending members 372are inserted into corresponding slots (not shown) in front portion 352and front panel assembly 360 is completely disposed within the recessedfront portion 352. In order to remove front panel assembly 360 fromfront portion 352, the user can use his or her finger tip to pry bottomend 369 of transparent panel 362 outward. This enables the user to pullfront panel assembly 360 outward so that rearwardly extending members372 are withdrawn from the corresponding slots (not shown) in frontportion 352. Once this is done, the user can then move front panelassembly 360 downward so that protruding tabs 370 are withdrawn from theindentations or cavities (not shown) in upper portion 375 of wall 374.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a coffee grinder in accordance withthe invention. Coffee grinder 400 has front panel assembly 420 whichcomprises colored member 422 and clear panel 424. For purposes ofunderstanding this embodiment of the invention, a portion of clear panel424 is cut away to show colored member 422. Coffee grinder 400 isconfigured to have corresponding slots and channels, similar to slots60, 62 and channels 70, 72, respectively, of coffee maker 20, to allowfront panel assembly 420 to be removably attached to coffee grinder 400.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, illustrate one particular embodiment of a coffeegrinder and front panel assembly in accordance with the invention.Coffee grinder 450 includes bowl 451 for holding coffee beans. However,bowl 451 is known in the art and is not pertinent to the invention andtherefore, is not discussed in detail. Coffee grinder 450 furtherincludes control panel 452 which has overhanging portion 453.Overhanging portion 453 has a bottom side (not shown) that has a channel(not shown) formed therein. The channel is similar to channel 90 shownin FIG. 4D. The purpose of this channel in the bottom side of overhang453 is described in the ensuing description. Coffee grinder 450 hassidewall 454 that has extending portion 454A. Coffee grinder 450includes opposite sidewall 455 that has extending portion 455A. Coffeegrinder 450 further comprises front portion 456 between extendingportions 454A and 455A. Front portion 456 has a generally convexcurvature. Front panel assembly 460 comprises transparent panel 462 andflexible colored member 464. Transparent panel 462 has a curvature thatconforms to the curvature of front portion 456 of coffee grinder 450.Transparent panel 462 has top end 466, bottom end 468 and flanged sides470 and 472. Top end 466 defines lip 474 that extends for thesubstantially the entire length of top end 466. Transparent panel 462has exterior side 476 and an opposite, interior side (not shown).Flanged side 470 has protruding portion 480. Flanged side 472 also has aprotruding portion (not shown). The purpose of these protruding portions(e.g. portion 480) is discussed in the ensuing description. Coloredmember 464 is positioned against the interior side of transparent panel462 and is positioned between flanged sides 470 and 472. Due to itsflexibility, colored member 464 conforms to the contour of transparentpanel 462. Coffee grinder 450 includes a pair of slots formed in frontportion 456. One of these slots is shown as slot 490 which is adjacentwall portion 455A (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). The other slot (not shown) isadjacent to wall portion 454A. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in order toattach front panel assembly 460 to coffee grinder 450, the user firstmaneuvers panel assembly 460 so that lip 474 is inserted into thechannel (not shown) formed in the underside of overhang 453. The userthen pivots the panel assembly 460 toward coffee grinder 450, asindicated by arrow 491 (see FIG. 8B), so that the rearwardly extendingportions of sidewalls 470 and 472 (e.g. portion 480) are inserted intothe slots formed in front portion 456 (e.g. slot 490) and front panelassembly 460 completely covers front portion 456 of coffee grinder 450.When front panel assembly 460 is completely attached to front portion456, flanged sides 470 and 472 of transparent panel 462 confrontsidewall portions 454A and 455A, respectively. In a preferredembodiment, transparent panel 462 is sized so that flanged sides 470 and472 frictionally contact sidewall portions 454A and 455A, respectively.In order to remove panel assembly 460 from front portion 456, the usercan use his or her finger tip to pry bottom end 468 of transparent panel462 outward and away from front portion 456. Once this is done, the usercan then maneuver front panel assembly 460 so that lip 474 is withdrawnfrom the channel (not shown) in the underside of overhang 453.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the front panelassembly (e.g. front panel assembly 22) is configured to be comprisedonly of a single, colored panel that can be removably attached to thefront portion of the kitchen appliance. Such a single, colored panelreplaces the separate transparent panel and the colored member describedin the embodiments above. For example, in one embodiment, the aforesaidsingle, colored panel has the same structure as panel 30 so as to allowthe single, color panel to be removable attached to the front portion ofthe appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the single, colored panel ismolded plastic. In a further embodiment, the single, colored panel isconfigured to have a pattern or design thereon that can be formed by anysuitable method, e.g. printing, heat transfer, etc.

In a further embodiment, a leather panel is used in place of thetransparent panel and colored member. In such an embodiment, the frontpanel assembly comprises a backing member that has the same structure aspanel 30 (see FIG. 1) and a piece of leather that is rigidly attached tothe backing member. The backing member can be removably attached to thefront portion of a kitchen appliance in the same manner that panel 30 isremovably attached to the front portion 26 of coffee maker 20 (see FIGS.1-4F).

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an upper portion of a coffee maker500 and front panel assembly 502 in accordance with a further embodimentof the invention. Coffee maker 500 is similar to coffee maker 20described in the foregoing description. In this embodiment, front panelassembly 502 comprises a support panel 504 and a fabric 506 that ispermanently attached to the support panel 504. A portion of fabric 506is cut away in order to show support panel 504. Support panel 504 ispermanently attached to the front portion of coffee maker 500.Therefore, in this embodiment, a clear panel, such as clear panel 30described in the foregoing description, is not used. In this embodiment,fabric 506 has the color desired by the user. Support panel 504 may bepermanently attached to the front portion of coffee maker 500 by anysuitable technique, e.g. adhesive, rivets, laminations, etc. Supportpanel 504 can be made from any suitable material, e.g. plastic, PVC. Inan alternate embodiment, a fabric 506 is not used, but rather, leatheror synthetic leather is attached to support panel 504.

In an alternate embodiment, support panel 504 is not used and fabric 506is attached directly to the front portion of the coffee maker 500.

Referring to FIG. 11A, there is shown a front panel assembly inaccordance with a further embodiment of the invention. Front panelassembly 600 comprises substantially transparent panel 602 which isconfigured to function as a photo frame. Referring to FIG. 11B, panel602 has front side 604 and rear side 605. Rear side 605 faces the frontportion of the kitchen appliance (e.g. front portion 26 coffee maker 20shown in FIG. 1). Panel 602 also includes sides 606 and 608. Side 606has rib 610 that extends vertically for substantially the entire heightof panel 602. Similarly, side 608 has rib 612 that extends verticallyfor substantially the entire height of panel 602. Panel 602 has aflanged, bottom end 614 and members 616 that extend from flanged bottomend 614. Panel 602 is configured to be removably attached to a frontportion of a kitchen appliance in the same manner as front panel 30,which was described in the foregoing description, is removably attachedto front portion 26 of coffee maker 20 (see FIGS. 1-4F). Thus, sides 606and 608 are frictionally inserted into vertical channels on either sideof a front portion of a kitchen appliance (similar to vertical channels70 and 72 shown in FIG. 3), and members 616 are frictionally insertedinto slots in the front portion of a kitchen appliance (similar to themanner in which tabs 50 are inserted into slots 60 and 62 shown in FIGS.4E and 4F). Referring to FIG. 11C, template 630 is configured and shapedto allow a user to trim or crop a desired photograph 632 to apredetermined size that allows the user to insert the edges ofphotograph 632 behind ribs 610 and 612 so that the photograph 632confronts interior wall 605 of panel 602. Bottom flanged end 614supports photograph 632 and ribs 610 and 612 retain the photograph 632in place. Once photograph 632 is completely inserted so that the entirephotograph 632 can be seen through panel 602, the user can then attachfront panel assembly 600 to the front portion of the kitchen appliance.Although the foregoing description is in terms of a photograph beingused with panel 602, it is to be understood that template 630 can beused to trim or crop any suitable decorative item, e.g. drawing,wallpaper, fabric, etc., so that such decorative item has a sizecommensurate with panel 602 and the edges or peripheral portions of thedecorative item can be inserted behind ribs 610 and 612. Preferably,template 630 is provided with the kitchen appliance.

In an alternate embodiment, panel 602 does not have ribs 610 and 612 butrather, is configured to have a transparent front wall and a rear walland a space between the front and rear walls. The user can then insertthe photograph or decorative item in the space between the front andrear walls so that the photograph or decorative item is visible throughthe transparent front wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the kitchen appliance of the invention isprovided with a kit that comprises the front panel assemblies, colormembers and templates (e.g. template 630) to allow the user to changethe color and/or aesthetic appearance of the kitchen appliance.

The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of thepresent invention have been described in the foregoing specification.The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not,however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, asthese are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdetailed description should be considered as exemplary in nature and notas limiting the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in theattached claims.

1. An appliance comprising: a housing having a front portion; a frontpanel assembly exhibiting a pre-selected color and having a sizesufficient for covering the front portion of the housing; and means forattaching the front panel assembly to the housing.
 2. The applianceaccording to claim 1 wherein the attaching means is configured toremovably attach the front panel assembly to the housing.
 3. Theappliance according to claim 1 wherein the front panel assemblycomprises a substantially transparent panel, the substantiallytransparent panel having an interior side that confronts the frontportion of the housing, and an exterior side opposite the exterior side.4. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the front panel assemblycomprises a single panel configured to have the pre-selected color. 5.The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the front panel assemblycomprises a substantially transparent panel which is configured to havea shape that provides a space between the front portion of the housingand the substantially transparent panel, the space being of sufficientsize to receive a decorative item.
 6. The appliance according to claim 1wherein front panel assembly comprises: a substantially transparentpanel; a colored member configured to have the pre-selected color; andwherein when front panel assembly is removably attached to the housingof the appliance, the colored member is between the front portion of thehousing and the substantially transparent panel, and the pre-selectedcolor is visible through the substantially transparent panel.
 7. Theappliance according to claim 6 wherein the colored member is flexible.8. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the front panel assemblycomprises a fabric having the pre-selected color.
 9. The applianceaccording to claim 8 wherein the front panel assembly further comprisesa support panel, the fabric being attached to the support panel and thesupport panel being attached to the front portion of the housing.
 10. Afront panel assembly configured to be removably attached to a frontportion of an appliance, the front panel assembly exhibiting apre-selected decorative scheme and being sized to cover at least aportion of the front portion of the appliance.
 11. The front panelassembly according to claim 10 wherein the front panel assembly is sizedto cover substantially the entire front portion of the appliance. 12.The front panel assembly according to claim 10 wherein the front panelassembly comprises a single panel configured to have a pre-selectedcolor.
 13. The front panel assembly according to claim 10 wherein frontpanel assembly comprises: a substantially transparent panel; a coloredmember configured to have a pre-selected color; and wherein when frontpanel assembly is removably attached to the housing of the appliance,the colored member is between the front portion of the housing and thesubstantially transparent panel such that the pre-selected color isvisible through the substantially transparent panel thereby providingthe appliance with a desired color scheme.
 14. The front panel assemblyaccording to claim 13 wherein the colored member is flexible.
 15. Thefront panel assembly according to claim 10 wherein front panel assemblycomprises a substantially transparent panel which is configured to havea shape that provides a space between the substantially transparentpanel and the front portion of the housing when the front panel assemblyis attached to the appliance housing, the space being of sufficient sizeto receive a decorative member.
 16. The front panel assembly accordingto claim 10 wherein the front panel assembly comprises: a support panelconfigured to be attached to the front portion of the housing; and amaterial attached to the support panel, the material exhibiting apre-selected color and texture.
 17. The front panel assembly accordingto claim 16 wherein material is a fabric.
 18. The front panel assemblyaccording to claim 16 wherein the material is chosen from the groupconsisting of leather and synthetic leather.
 19. The front panelassembly according to claim 10 wherein front panel assembly comprises: asubstantially transparent panel having an interior side facing the frontportion; a decorative member positioned beside the interior side of thesubstantially transparent panel; and wherein when front panel assemblyis removably attached to the front portion of the housing, thedecorative member is between the front portion and the substantiallytransparent panel such that the decorative member is visible through thesubstantially transparent panel.
 20. The front panel assembly accordingto claim 19 wherein the decorative member is a photograph.
 21. The frontpanel assembly according to claim 19 wherein the decorative member is acolor panel having a pre-selected color.
 22. A kitchen appliancecomprising: a housing having a front portion; and a front panel assemblyremovably attached to the housing so as to confront the front portion ofthe housing, the front panel assembly comprising a substantiallytransparent panel, and a decorative member positioned between thesubstantially transparent panel and the front portion, the decorativeitem exhibiting a pre-selected color and texture.
 23. An appliancecomprising: a housing having an exterior surface; and a front panelassembly removably attached to at least a portion of the exteriorsurface of the housing, the front panel assembly exhibiting apre-selected color.
 24. An appliance comprising: a housing having anexterior surface; and a front panel assembly removably attached to atleast a portion of the exterior surface of the housing, the front panelassembly comprising a substantially transparent panel, and a decorativemember positioned between the substantially transparent panel and the atleast a portion of the exterior surface of the housing, the decorativeitem exhibiting a pre-selected color and texture.